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Designing Better Lives Podcast

18 Episodes
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Alex maintains Tisdel’s Indiana dealer base by providing training and ensuring pristine product displays in each showroom. She also works as a liaison between Sub-Zero, Wolf, Cove, and ASKO brands and the design community. She bridges gaps and builds relationships with key specifiers including architects, builders/developers, interior designers and remodelers by serving as a resource and educating them on the many features, benefits and technical aspects of the products she represents. Customer service is an important aspect of Alex’s role. As part of the luxury ownership experience, she conducts complimentary Use & Care appointments with customers in their home to ensure they are realizing all of the benefits and full functionality of their new appliances.
With a commitment to quality craftsmanship, Emergent Construction designs, builds, and reinvents residential and commercial spaces that clients not only use, but love. We are a full-service general contractor and home builder focused on respecting the history, saving the charm, and revitalizing spaces throughout the greater Indianapolis area.
Hear from CEO and Founder, Matt Troyer on all things Design!
In 1981, The Great Western Tile Company, a family owned and operated business was founded by visionary Steve Chirico. In 1984, The Great Western Tile Company was incorporated into what is now known as The Great Western Flooring Company.
Steve's passion, hard work, and dedication to the flooring industry and Great Western Flooring Co. led to the rapid success of the business, not only by becoming one of the most prestigious design centers in Chicago, but by also securing valuable partnerships with the country's largest and most elite flooring industry companies and manufacturers.
Today, Lauren Voit and Dana Park, daughters of the original owners and founders, represent the second generation at the helm of Great Western Flooring. Great Western Flooring is proud to serve homeowners, builders and trade partners alike at any of their three design locations.
John is CEO and President of Old Town Design Group, a residential developer and homebuilder focused on exceptional customer experiences and intentional community and home design. His primary role is to lead the company’s growth leveraging his comprehensive experience in the construction industry, community development and homebuilding.
ric Farrell is the C.E.O. of the Home Builders Association of Dayton (HBAD), where he leads an association of approximately 300 member organizations and develops strategies and cultivates relationships within the residential construction community and throughout the Dayton region. The Home Builders Association of Dayton represents the Dayton region’s largest network of craftsmen, innovators, and problem solvers dedicated to building and enriching communities.
Eric is a Dayton native through and through. Born and raised in Dayton, Eric graduated and earned his M.A. from the University of Dayton (UD) and began pursuing a career as a college basketball coach where he was a part six (6) NCAA Tournament wins (including the 2014 Elite Eight) and 187 victories.
Eric’s personal ethos enables him to transition from leading from the bench to leading an Association – relationships matter.
Growing up in the construction industry, Alexa’s passion for interior design and home building started early. As a kid, she accompanied her dad and CEO of Drees Homes on frame walks, saw him shake hands with homeowners, and watched him grow and expand the Drees Homes brand to be one of the largest national builders. This passion for crafting homes known for quality and innovation influences Alexa today. She has over ten years of experience in the field of interior design, and currently serves as Design Center Director of Drees Homes. Alexa enjoys working for a company that makes custom homes easy, with a focus on curating the most sought-after design trends and creating a personalized experience for each home buyer. Alexa has presented at several national home builder design studio conferences, and is a member of Design Studio Masters and YPO NextGen.
Michaelle Bradford, CCI Media, is Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine and Managing Editor for Woodworking Network. She has more than 19 years of experience covering the woodworking and design industry, including visits to custom cabinet shops, closet firms and design studios throughout North America. As Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine under the Woodworking Network brand, Michaelle’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating editorial content as well as managing annual design competitions like the Top Shelf Design Awards. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media.
A persistent and successful entrepreneur, David Decker is the founder and owner of ACo, a flooring, cabinet, kitchen and bath remodeling company. He also is the founder of Haven, a design and construction industry marketing firm and lifestyle publication. Decker’s latest endeavor is Hub & Spoke, a first-of-its-kind mixed-use development that includes a design center, a coworking space, and a maker space. ACo, Haven and Hub & Spoke are based in Fishers, Indiana. For more about each company, visit liveaco.com, havenhome.me, and hubandspoke.works, respectively.
Mark Riggle is the Co-Founder at Threefold. Threefold invests in real estate and property service companies through trusted partnerships. They are a self-funded private equity company that seeks to maintain permanent partnerships with the businesses they hold. Mark shares his vision about he and the team at Threefold are working to Design Better Lives through empowering entrepreneurs and teams.
Jake Van Wyk is the Category Manager for Häfele America’s Loox LED Lighting products. For the past 9 years, Jake has worked with Häfele, a leading worldwide supplier of furniture hardware and lighting components that improve the functionality of kitchens, closets and other living and working environments. Jake graduated from Furman University in Greenville, SC and earned his MBA degree from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill, NC.
Joanna Frank is the Founding President & CEO of the Center for Active Design (CfAD), where she advances design and development practices to foster healthy and engaged communities. CfAD is the operator of Fitwel, a unique certification system originally developed by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. On this episode Joanna shares how designers can impact health and wellbeing through design.
Rob Martens the Chief Innovation and Design Officer at Allegion. On this episode Rob shares his vision for Allegion and how they approach innovation. Rob is also responsible for their innovation fund and co-founder of the innovation engine Pin and Tumbler studio.
Charlie Meyer is the Co-Founder at Threefold where he is responsible for vision, talent systems, marketing and acquisitions. Charlie shares his vision about he and the team at Threefold are working to Design Better Lives through empowering organizations.
Dave Neff is the CRO at Prolific where he is responsible for revenue generation and building the brand. Dave shares vision for growing relationships that stand the test of time and how adding value and not keeping score are a recipe for success.
Neil Miller of Work Minus joins us to discuss the future of work. Neil's work at work minus has created meaningful conversations with thought leaders across the globe that he shares on his podcast: Work Minus.
Matt Waggoner of JLL shares his vision for what it means to design better lives through workspaces.
Briana Dunkin of Parallel Design Group shares her passion for workplace design and how her firm approaches projects for a variety of clients throughout the midwest. Briana founded her firm, Parallel Design Group, over six years ago with a central focus on family; as their firm is predominately female with many young mothers raising children and pouring into their design careers simultaneously.
Anissa Zajac of House Seven shares more about building a design firm and brand with her husband Brian. Anissa shares her story about everything from how she works with clients to where she finds her inspiration. Most importantly, she shares the story behind the name: House Seven.